Overhead door

ABSTRACT

An improved door comprises a vertically displaceable door panel and means for imparting rotational and translational motion thereto. The movement of the door panel is guided by two, essentially vertical, lateral tracks, and by two arm assemblies articulating with the lateral tracks or with the adjacent door frame structure. The door panel is balanced by means of elastic elements which articulate with the lateral tracks of adjacent door frame structure and with either of the two arm assemblies.

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,849,937 Blumenthal [4 Nov. 26, 1974 OVERHEAD DOOR 1,452,078 8/1966 France .v 49 203 [76] nto Ernesto Blumemhal, Vida 3188, 6,401,179 8/1964 Netherlands 1. 49/206 Buenos Aires, Argentina Primary Examiner-Kenneth Downey [22] Flled July 1973 Attorney, Agent, or FirmBrowdy and Niemark [21] Appl. No.: 377,436

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT May 1 l, 1973 Argentina 247986 An improved door comprises a vertically displaceable door panel and means for imparting rotational and [52] U.S. Cl. 49/205, 49/206 translational motion thereto. The movement of the [51] Int. Cl E0511 15/40 door panel is guided by two, essentially vertical, lat- [58] Field Of Search 49/197, 203-206 eral tracks, and by two arm assemblies articulating with the lateral tracks or with the adjacent door frame References Cited structure. The door panel is balanced by means of UNITED STATES PATENTS elastic elements which articulate with the lateral 2,076,878 4 1937 Brunst 49 205 tracks of adjacent door frame Slructure and with ther of the two arm assemblies. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,172,987 6/1964 Germany 49/205 6 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures l 8 18' H 8 La a 7 6 11 IO K) 1 10 P I 9 J' T 3,, I8 5 1 V ll 4 ll vfrf' 2o r I ll 20 a L 7 1b r i x T M I3 15 7 x1 A X l I 14 15 I7 3 OVERHEAD DOOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved door with a vertically displaceable panel capable of rotational and translational motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art doors having panels provided with lateral elements which work in essentially vertical guides are presently known. In such devices several guide arms, articulated between the panel and the door frame surrounding the door opening, are included in the mechanism for supporting and operating the panel. In the prior art devices the door is balanced by means of one or two counterweights suspended from cables, guided by their own corresponding deflecting means, making it possible to achieve a perfect equilibrium depending upon the proper choice of suspension points for the door panel. A disadvantage of such doors is that their suspension mechanisms are heavy and spaceconsuming. Therefore, they are not easily transported or installed in a compact form.

Accordingly, they must be transported in the form of individual elements which require a specially trained workman to install them.

In order to eliminate this inconvenience and achieve a lighter mechanism, other prior art doors were developed with a similar movement in which the balancing by counterweights was replaced by springs which acted laterally on the arm assemblies between the panel and its frame. These devices were more compact and easier to transport, however, it was impossible to achieve perfect balance because in the closed position of the door the arms should hang eccentrically with respect to the panel so as to avoid forming a dead center therebetween. This problem has been clearly pointed out in Argentine Patent No. 185,1 17, in which an attempt has been made to eliminate this fault by the application of one or more stops in the upper portion of the door frame. Another disadvantage of these doors is that their arms occupy a great deal of space beneath the moving door because they have projections that protrude beyond the interior side of the door panel. Consequently, these arms represent a real danger to careless individuals, especially children, when they attempt to open the door.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The shortcomings of the prior art overhead doors are satisfactorily overcome by the present invention. Thus an object of the present invention is to overcome the defects of the prior art such as indicated above.

Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size of these arms so that they do not extend as far downward in the course of operational movement.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate jutting projections on the door panel and the rest of the elements in order to reduce the size of the door assembly in its closed position so as to occupy less space in storage and transport.

Another principal object of the instant invention is to avoid non-equilibrium of the door in its two extreme positions. By an appropriate geometric arrangement of the arm assemblies, the door mechanism and springs with special chacteristics the door may be in equilibrium in-any position. This feature is of greater impor-.

tance in doors that are larger and heavier than in small, light ones.

In furtherance of these and other objects, a principal feature of the present invention is an overhead door which has been designed such that the motion of the arms prevents the elements thereof from excessive projection during the opening or closing of the door.

To improve the balance, the arm assemblies approach the dead center in the closed position of the door. In this instance, in order to be able to move off the dead center additional control means have been devised to push the arm assemblies at least during their initial travel.

In order to obtain a door that is balanced in all positions, it is necessary for the arm assemblies, the door mechanism and the springs to conform to certain geo' metric, static and design specifications which will be described below.

Hence, the present invention is characterized by an improved vertically displaceable overhead door capable of rotational and translational motion. The door in cludes a panel guided, on the one hand, by two lateral tracks, essentially vertical, and, on the other hand, by two arm assemblies articulating with said lateral tracks or with the adjacent door frame structure. The panelis balanced by means of elastic elements articulating with the lateral tracks or the adjacent. door frame structure and with either of the two arm assemblies. The arm assemblies consist of a main arm, a guide arm articulating at a point below the articulation of the corresponding main arm, and a suspension arm articulating with and elastically connected to a corresponding guide arm.

In a special embodiment of the invention, the door is characterized by the fact that each of said support arms articulating with the main arm and the lower guide arm is provided with a guide means for a pusher element mounted on the adjacent edge of the door panel.

In order to clarify matters further, various preferred embodiments of the improved door will be described, and illustrated by examples which are not limited to the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of the improved door.

FIG. 2 is a similar view of another embodiment of the same door.

FIG. 3 is a lengthwise section through a special elastic element.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the side of an alternate arm assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a similar schematic of an alternative arrangement of an arm assembly similar to that shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the support arm and guide pin shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to that in FIG. 6, but for a modified embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to that. in FIG. 6, but of another modified embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the arm assembly in an improved embodiment, in side view.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to that in FIG. 9, but for still another embodiment.

' In all of the drawings, the same numbers or letters indicate the same or equivalent elements. Further, the

structural elements are identified by numbers, while the sides and angles are identified by lower-case letters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown the extreme cases of the embodiments of the instant invention. Between them, there is a highly diverse range of possible variations. FIG. 1 shows the simplest case, wherein the door is characterized by the distinctive fastening of the guide arms, which avoids the danger to individuals that was mentioned earlier. In FIG. 2, this idea has been amplied and improved, giving the door additional geometric, static and structural characteristics which result in a spring-loaded door that is in perfect equilibrium in all positions. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 can be applied only to very light doors where the question of perfect equilibrium is not so important, but as the size and weight of the panel increase, it becomes necessary to improve the balancing conditions, in which case the additional elements shown inFIG. 2 will be needed.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 consists of a panel 1, provided at its lower part with pins 2,2 each having guide rollers 3,3. The rollers 3,3 run in guide tracks 4,4 embedded in the doorjambs. These tracks 4,4 together with crossbeam 5 form a rigid frame mounted in the doorway in which the door is hung. A pair of main arms 6,6 are connected at one end to the frame by pins 7,7 which are rotatably mounted in apertured flanges 8,8 located at the upper ends of tracks 4,4. The other end of the main arms 6,6 are connected to the door by pins 9,9 which are rotatably mounted in apertured flanges 10,10 located on the interior side of the door 1.

To support the door 1, which hangs on pivots 9,9, support arms 12,12 are connected at one end to the main arms 6,6 by pins 11,11 carried thereby. At the opposite end the support arms 12,12 are linked to a pair of guide arms 13,13 by pins 14,14 carried thereby. The other ends of guide arms 13,13 are linked by pins 15,15 to apertured flanges 16,16 provided on tracks 4,4.

Between pins 17,17 carried by the guide arms 13,13 and pins 18,18 mounted on the outside of the flanges 19,19 which are attached to the tracks 4,4 between flanges 8,8 and 16,16, elastic elements are mounted in an articulated fashion. In the preferred form the elastic elements are tension springs 20,20. These springs serve to balance panel 1.

In practice the door will be provided with means for closing and locking, e.g. spring latches, locks, and handles or knobs both inside and out, but these elements are not shown because they are known in the technol- The result of this design is to prevent the support arms 12,12 from being mounted above main arms 6,6 and to eliminate the need for connecting the support arms 12,12 to projections on panel 1, thus considerably reducing the operating space required by arms 12, 13 and l2, 13, respectively, This arrangement eliminates the danger of collisions between the moving arms and individuals who could be below the door.

As has already been said, this type of control mechanism can be used only for very light doors where panel 1 is balanced only at its uppermost position to keep the door open. At times it may be desirable for panel 1 to open only enough to unlatch the door, the achievement of such a condition depends on the correct selection of the pivot points.

Of course, in most cases it is desirable to have a state of balance that is as close as possible to perfect equilibrium, such as is obtained in doors that are balanced by counterweights. For this purpose the mechanism described above must be supplemented with other, additional elements as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, panel 1 is provided with pins 2,2 both supporting a guide roller 3,3 which run in vertical guide tracks 4,4. The tracks 4,4 together with the crossbeam 5 form a rigid frame for the door. In this embodiment, main arms 6,6 are connected directly to tracks 4,4 by pins 7,7 and to panel 1 by pins 9,9. In the case of perfect balance, it will be necessary for the pins 7,7; 9,9; and 11,11 of main arms 6,6 to form an angle with the horizontal which is equal to the angle formed by this horizontal with the straight line connecting one of the centers of pins 2,2 with the centers of pins 9,9. Also, these pins necessarily form a single vertical plane through the center of gravity of panel 1, when the panel is in the closed position. Instead of support arms 12,12. special support arms 21,21 are connected at one end by pins 11,1 1 to main arms 6,6 and guided at their opposite ends by guide arms 13,13. The guide arms 13,13 are connected directly at one end to tracks 4,4 by pins 15,15 and at the other end by pins 14,14 to L-shaped flanges 22,22 which are integral with special arms 21,21. Special elastic elements 23,23 connect pins 24,24 provided on the L-shaped flanges 25,25 which are integral with arms 21,21 with pins 18,18 mounted directly on tracks 4,4 between pins 15,15 and 7,7, respectively.

In order to obtain perfect equilibrium between the panel and the elastic elements, the support arms 21,21 must be parallel with the track 4,4 and the main arms 6,6 must be parallel with the guide arms 13,13. To gether this arrangement forms parallel guides. Further, the pins of elements 2, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18 and 24, on the one hand, and the corresponding elements, on the other hand, form a single vertical plane through the center of gravity of the panel 1 when the door is in the closed position. This design eliminates the lateral forces which could attempt to move panel 1 thus allowing the panel to be in equilibrium with the elastic means.

It is obvious that the problem of the dead center arises in the case of the parallel guide. When pulling on a handle or knob carried by the panel 1, the latter cannot be opened because opposing forces are developed in superimposed arms 13,21 and 13,21, which tend to bind them up. The arm assemblies are moved off the dead center by means of pusher elements or pins 26,26 mounted on the lateral edges of panel 1 which act on arms 21,21 through guides 27,27. In the preferred embodiment the guides 27,27 are elongated slots provided in the support arms 21,21. These guide slots 27,27 are vertical. Similarly, arms 21,21 maintain a vertical position as they move. When it is desired to open the door by pulling on a handle attached to panel 1, support arms 21,21 are simultaneously forced into the interior of the building by pins 11,11 and by pusher elements 26,26, thus moving the guide and support arms 13, 21 and 13, 21 off the dead center.

In order to obtain perfect equilibrium, elastic elements 23,23 must possess, in addition to the geometric conditions mentioned, the characteristic that the acting force in these elements be proportional to the distance between pins 18 and 24 and 18 and 24, respectively.

This is not achieved with a common tension spring be cause the coils in the closed position of the spring, with out tension, occupy a certain amount of space, meaning that this condition cannot be met. Nevertheless it is possible to achieve perfect equilibrium by using a tension spring with considerable preliminary tensioning. Elements 23,23 shown in FIG. 2 are springs of this type.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a special embodiment of an elastic element which can be used instead of springs 23,23. In this element, pin 18 is connected to an apertured flange 28 integral with a closed tube 29. The tube 29 contains a compression spring 30 which is compressed by a disc 31 movable in tube 29 by and rigidly connected to a rod 32 which slides in an aperture 33 in the end of the closed tube 29. The other end of the rod 32, which extends from closed tube 29, is formed into a ring 34. The ring forms an aperture through which pin 24 passes. By determining the extreme positions of spring 30 and the necessary corresponding forces, it is possible to select a spring that will combine the necessary characteristics to obtain perfect equilibrium.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show in schematic form the various possible embodiments of the am assembly, which correspond to the possibilities between the two extreme embodiments already described in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. In these drawings, (a) is the distance between joints 7 and 11, (b) is the distance between joints 11 and 14, (c) is the distance between joints l4 and and (d) is the distance between joints 15 and 7. In embodiments similar to the one in FIG. 1, the arrangement of the arms must be as shown in FIG. 4, being sure that the sum of the lengths of arms (a) plus (b) is greater than the sum of the lengths of arms (d) plus (0), so that the arm assembly will not reach the dead center. In doors resembling that in FIG. 2, the arrangement of the arms in the assembly must be as shown in FIG. 5, wherein (a) and (c) are equal and (b) is equal to (d), i.e., wherein (a), (b), c) and (d) form a parallelogram. In the closed position this assembly passes through a dead center and therefore requires the provision of a pusher element 26 such as has been described in FIG. 2. This element 26 can be used also with the assembly shown in FIG. 4, but only if the sum of (a) and (b) is equal to the sum of (c) and (d), in which case the arm assembly will pass the dead center.

Only in the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 can guide slot 27 in support arm 21 be vertical and straight. This slot 27 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6 which corresponds to that shown in FIG. 2. In any other case, the slot will be curved and will have to be determined according to the movement of the arm assemblies and the door. More simply, the guide element and pusher 26 can be made as shown in FIG. 7, where a short U- shaped guide element 35 is mounted on arm 21. The U-shaped guide elements 35, which may be formed by a plate bent double, acts only while the arms 13,13 and 21,21 are near the dead spot. When the door 1 is in the upper position the pin or pusher element 26 passes through the open end of the guide element 35 and is freed, since there is no need to actuate it when the door is in such a position. Referring now to FIG. 8, there is shown a curved guide 36 formed in a manner similar to that in FIG. 7. The curved guide 36 is used in conjunction with the pusher element 26 when the arms 13,13 and 21,21 do not form parallel guides as shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate schematically two additional possibilities for a parallel guide system which can form the control mechanism for panel 1. In the case shown in FIG. 9 it is shown how it may be necessary to extend arm 21 downward in order to install pusher element 26. FIG. 10 shows the same extension, only effected upward. In addition, these drawings show that the angles (denoted by the lower-case letter 6) between the horizontal and lever 6 and between the latter and the straight line between pins 2 and 9 must be equal, in order to obtain the same improved balance as in counte'r-weight balanced doors.

1 It is understood that in the ideal case, when elements 2, 7, 9, 11, 14, 15, 18, 24 and 26 are aligned and the door is in the closed position, it is. necessary to have a detailed study of the structural phase of the invention in order to mount various elements on the same axis. Nevertheless this problem is solved easily by allowing lateral eccentricities in the arm assembly which influence the dimensioning of the individual pieces but has no effect on equilibrium.

It is also understood that pins 17 or 24 for the connection of one end of spring 20 or elastic element 23 will be mounted indiscriminately on arm 12, arm 21 or arm 13, or on joint 14.

On the other hand, tracks 4,4 can be modified to form tracks on which independent guides are mounted, thereby allowing the door 1 to overrun the tracks or to remain consntantly in them. Further, rollers 33' can be replaced by sliding pins. Also, instead of being formed by sliding pins as is described and shown, the pusher el' ements 26,26 may take the form of rollers. The guides as shown by 27, 35 and 36 may be unilateral in order to function only when the door is opened, since the mo mentum of the door could be sufficient to hold the suspension mechanism in its end position to close the door.

It can be appreciated that according to the present invention it will be possible to construct a door which, in its closed position, together with its frame and con trol mechanism, will not occupy more space than the panel alone and that it will be possible to transport the door ready-to-use, for assembly and installation in situ by untrained personnel.

The foregoing description of the specific embodi' ments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

What is claimed is: 1. An improved door comprising: a vertically displaceable panel, said panel including lateral edges and two substantially planar faces;

two substantially vertical, lateral tracks for guiding the vertical displacement of said panel, said tracks being mounted adjacent to a doorframe;

two main arms articulating at one end about a first joint on said lateral tracks and at the other end about a joint on said panel;

two arm assemblies, said assemblies each including a guide arm articulating about a second joint on said lateral tracks below the first articulation joint of the corresponding main arm and a support arm articulating about a third joint on the corresponding main arm and articulating about a fourth joint on the corresponding guide arm, said support arm having a guide means including a pusher element mounted on the adjacent lateral edge of said door panel for moving said panel off of a dead center; and

elastic means articulating with said lateral tracks and said arm assemblies for balancing said panel, wherein said panel is capable of rotational and translational movement.

2. An improved door according to claim 1, wherein said guide means for said pusher element is a slot provided in said guide arm, said slot being straight and elongated in the direction of travel of said pusher element.

3. An improved door according to claim 1, wherein I said guide means for said pusher element is a slot provided in said guide arm, said slot being curved, said curve being determined by the movement of the door.

4. An improved door comprising:

a vertically displaceable panel, said panel including lateral edges and two substantially planar faces;

two substantially vertical, lateral tracks for guiding the vertical displacement of said panel; said tracks being mounted adjacent to a doorframe;

two main arms articulating about a first joint on said lateral tracks;

two arm assemblies, said assemblies including a guide arm, having guide means including a pusher element mounted on the adjacent lateral edge of said door panel for moving said panel off of a dead center, articulating about a second joint on said lateral tracks below the first articulation joint of the corresponding main arm and a support arm articulating about a third joint on a corresponding main arm and articulating about a fourth joint on a corresponding guide arm, wherein said support arm articulates with said main arm; and

elastic means articulating with said lateral tracks and said arm assemblies for balancing said panel; wherein said panel is capable of rotational and translational movement,

wherein said guide means for said pusher element is a doubled over plate carried by said guide arm and cooperating with said pusher element only near the dead center.

5. An improved door according to claim 4, wherein the guide means is straight and elongated in the direction of travel of the pusher element.

6. An improved door according to claim 4, wherein the guide means is curved, said curve being determined by the movement of the door. 

1. An improved door comprising: a vertically displaceable panel, said panel including lateral edges and two substantially planar faces; two substantially vertical, lateral tracks for guiding the vertical displacement of said panel, said tracks being mounted adjacent to a doorframe; two main arms articulating at one end about a first joint on said lateral tracks and at the other end about a joint on said panel; two arm assemblies, said assemblies each including a guide arm articulating about a second joint on said lateral tracks below the first articulation joint of the corresponding main arm and a support arm articulating about a third joint on the corresponding main arm and articulating about a fourth joint on the corresponding guide arm, said support arm having a guide means including a pusher element mounted on the adjacent lateral edge of said door panel for moving said panel off of a dead center; and elastic means articulating with said lateral tracks and said arm assemblies for balancing said panel, wherein said panel is capable of rotational and translational movement.
 2. An improved door according to claim 1, wherein said guide means for said pusher element is a slot provided in said guide arm, said slot being straight and elongated in the direction of travel of said pusher element.
 3. An improved door according to claim 1, wherein said guide means for said pusher element is a slot provided in said guide arm, said slot being curved, said curve being determined by the movement of the door.
 4. An improved door comprising: a vertically displaceable panel, said panel including lateral edges and two substantially planar faces; two substantially vertical, lateral tracks for guiding the vertical displacement of said panel, said tracks being mounted adjacent to a doorframe; two main arms articulating at one end about a first joint on said lateral tracks and at the other end about a joint on said panel; two arm assemblies, said assemblies each including a guide arm articulating about a second joint on said lateral tracks below the first articulation joint of the corresponding main arm and a support arm articulating about a third joint on the corresponding main arm and articulating about a fourth joint on the corresponding guide arm, said support arm having guide means including a pusher element mounted on the adjacent lateral edge of said door panel for moving said panel off of a dead center; and elastic means articulating with said lateral tracks and said arm assemblies for balancing said panel, wherein said panel is capable of rotational and translational movement, wherein said guide means for said pusher element is a doubled over plate carried by said guide arm and cooperating with said pusher element only near the dead center.
 5. An improved door According to claim 4, wherein the guide means is straight and elongated in the direction of travel of the pusher element.
 6. An improved door according to claim 4, wherein the guide means is curved, said curve being determined by the movement of the door. 